April 6, 2014

Mass of Christian Burial was held April 3, 2014, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Easton. The Rev. Thomas Niehaus officiated and interment was in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Barber Township, Faribault County. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells was in charge of arrangements.

LaVena was born Feb. 8, 1915, on the Wesner Grove Farm in Barber Township, Faribault County, to Henry and Christina (Ascheman) Hefner. She resided there until she moved into Easton in 1982. She attended Mount Carmel Catholic School, and graduated from Delavan High School in 1932. She was united in marriage to Merril C. Cole on Nov. 26, 1938, in Easton. LaVena was a dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker. She enjoyed raising their five boys, gardening, quilting, playing cards, and traveling. She belonged to the neighborhood birthday club for many years. LaVena will be remembered as a great storyteller and historian. Her specialty was her icebox and sugar cookies, which everyone loved. LaVena was a life-long member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church she belonged to MCCW and Catholic Daughters.

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LaVena is survived by two sons, Tom (Colleen) Cole, of Easton, and Robert (Patty) Cole, of Marshall; three daughters-in-law, Claudette Cole, of Lakeville, Joan Cole, of Easton, and Wendy Cole, of Blue Earth; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merril; sons, Jack, Fred, Denny, and Charles in infancy; and sisters, Anne McCarrick and Agnes Higgins.

Memorials are preferred to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Handicap Accessibility Fund.